The New York Mets are enduring a difficult run, losing 13 of their last 16 games as their season slips further from expectations. Central to these struggles is the heavy reliance on Juan Soto, whose standout performances have often been the only bright spot in a lineup that has consistently underperformed.

Injury setbacks disrupt the once-sturdy pitching staff

The Mets’ pitching, once considered a strong suit, has been severely weakened by injuries to key starters including Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and Kodai Senga. Attempts to fill these gaps with replacements such as Frankie Montas and Paul Blackburn have not brought the needed consistency. Compounding their problems is a demanding schedule featuring 13 straight games without rest, pushing the team through relentless rotations and contributing to a demoralizing sweep by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Relief pitchers falter despite early-season promise

While the starting rotation faces its own hurdles, the Mets’ bullpen – initially a pillar of strength – has struggled to maintain leads. Early performances from relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazobán, and Ryne Stanek helped set up closer Edwin Díaz’s closing opportunities. However, recent collapses highlight a bullpen in decline, most notably during a June 17 game against the Atlanta Braves, when Garrett surrendered a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning, followed by Brazobán conceding the winning run in extra innings.

Trade deadline urgency grows as bullpen woes escalate

Perceptions of the Mets’ bullpen urgency have shifted sharply as the season has unfolded. In June, The Athletic’s trade deadline urgency index did not list the Mets among the top teams needing relief assistance. Now, Aaron Gleeman ranks them highest on that scale. He noted,

“June was a rough month for the Mets’ bullpen, which ranked 29th in ERA (5.47) and 29th in Win Probability Added (minus-1.3) despite closer Edwin Díaz doing his job just fine. What’s the point of building a star-studded, $325 million roster if getting leads from the starter to the closer is an adventure? New York needs bullpen help.”

—Aaron Gleeman, Baseball Analyst

Prospects for bolstering the bullpen before the trade deadline

Despite these ongoing difficulties, the Mets possess both promising prospects and financial resources to address their bullpen deficiencies. The team may pursue a high-impact closer such as Félix Bautista or Emmanuel Clase to immediately strengthen the relief corps. Alternatively, they could adopt a more measured strategy by acquiring several lesser-known relievers to enhance depth and flexibility during the remainder of the season.

Looking ahead: resolving bullpen struggles to support the lineup

As New York continues to wrestle with bullpen breakdowns and a lineup overly dependent on Juan Soto, the coming weeks will be critical. Successfully reinforcing the relief pitching staff is essential to increase the team’s chances of reversing its recent slide. Without improvements in these areas, sustaining a playoff push will remain a distant goal.